PHC Zebras 2

Devonshire Colts 1

PHC Zebras coach Kyle Lightbourne was a relieved man after the defending champions saw off a spirited Devonshire Colts at Somerset Cricket Club to advance to the next round of the Friendship Trophy.

A brace from Lloyd Holder either side of half-time was enough to see Zebras through, although he had a multitude of chances to put the game beyond any doubt before the interval.

"We worked hard today and Colts showed a lot of guts and determination, especially in the first half where they matched us for fitness and the pace of the game," said Lightbourne.

"It was a good game for the neutrals and Colts are improving week by week, so no-one can take them lightly.

"We knew that and didn't let it happen again. Lloyd scored two good goals and that was the difference. They had their chances as did we, but we got the win this time around."

Andre Famous broke the deadlock after 18 minutes to put Colts up before Holder notched his first on the stroke of half-time.

The striker should have had his name on the scoresheet before the equaliser came, with both a volley and header going wide of the target. It took until 76 minutes for Holder to break the deadlock as his substitute, Quinton Burgess, was warming up.

Having had skipper Chris Furbert upended by Colts captain Joseph Butterfield, the ensuing free kick was put home by Holder to leave Colts with a mountain to climb.

There was to be no repeat of Colts' league triumph over PHC earlier in the season, with the final result going the way of the champions.

"I told my guys that I'm not sure if they can keep it up for the full ninety minutes and the most important thing right now is to go through to the next round, and that's what we did," continued Lightbourne.

"The guys know that last time we didn't perform at our levels and consequently we got beaten, but today we played a lot better. It didn't flow all the time but the intensity was there and that's what we asked for.

"We move on as the defending champions and we want to defend it in the best way that we can."

D.Colts: G.Rose, E.Wilkins, J.Butterfield, T.Foote, S.Perinchief, C.Durham, C.Trott (Z.Wilson, 75), D.Williams, K.Jones, M.Burch (Robinson, 88), A.Famous (Pace, 84)

Substitutes not used: J.Wade, D.Smith

Goals: Famous, 18

PHC: R.Glasford, C.Dowling, S.Smith, O.Shakir, F.Frankson, J.Franklin (Raynor, 71), B.Bean, L.Holder (Burgess, 76), C.Furbert, C.Robinson, J.Sealy

Substitues not used: Q.Hunt, M.Lambe, D.Wilson, J.Smith

Goals: Holder 45, 76

Referee: R.Cann

Man of the Match: J.Sealy (Zebras)